Burglar-alarm



(No Model.)

' G. M. PRATT.

BURGLAR ALARM.

No. 290,605. Patented Deo. 18. 1883.

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GEORGE lil. PRATT, OF MIDDLETOVN, CONNECTICUT.

BURGLAR-ALARM.

SPECIFECATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 290,605, dated December 18, 1883.

n VApplication lednYovernber/"Q, 17853. (Xo model.)

To all whom, t may concern Be it known that l, GEORGE M. Priifr'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Middletown, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Burglar Alarms or Fire- Arms, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention has for its object to provide a novel, simple, and efficient lire-arm for protecting orchards and vineyards from the depredations of animals and thieves, and which is also adapted for use as a protection against burglarsin houses, barns, corn-cribs, and other places containing valuables.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of devices hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of the apparatus, the parts being in position to discharge the fire-arm when the hammer is released by its dog or lever. Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a plan view, showing the position of the parts after the lire-arm has been discharged.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the number 1 indicates a base plate having holes for the passage of screws or nails to secure it in a lixed position to a stationary object, the upper side of the plate being constructed in the form of a sleeve-bearing, 2, to receive within it a short pendent journal formed on the under side of a tubular web, 3, which joins two barrels, et 4, of a fire-arm, the breech ends of the barrels each having a nipple, 5, to receive a fulminate or cap, which, when exploded, discharges both barrels. A cylindrical rod, 6, passes longitudinally through the tubular web 3, and is provided at its rear end with a crosshead, 7, having an anvil or hammer, 8, at each extremity, which are dat on their inner faces, so that when they forcibly strike the fulminates or caps on the nipples the barrels are discharged. The cylindrical rod 6 has a crosspin, 9, near its forward end, the lower portion of which pin is adapted to move longitudinally in a slot, 10, in the forward end of the bottom wall of the tubular web, and between said pin and the rear end wall, 11, of the web is arranged a coiled spring, 12, of wire or other suitable material, whereby, when the cross-head 7 is drawn rearwardly, it moves the cylindrical rod in a like direction and compresses the spring, putting it under such tension that, if the cross-head be released, the spring will react and suddenly throw the cylindrical rod forward and cause the anvils or hammers to forcibly strike and explode the fulminates or caps on the nipples of the barrels. In order to hold the cross-head and rod in their retracted position against the tension of the spring, l arrange upon the top wall of the tubular web a dog or lever, 13, which is straight for the greater portion of its length, and then extends slightly in a lateral direction, the rear extremity having a notch or recess to form a shoulder, 14, for coming against a vertically-proj ecting lug or stud and roll, 15, arranged centrally on the upper side of the cross-head. The dog or lever is pivoted between its ends, preferably at a point adjacent to the rear end of the web, by means of a screw pivot-pin, 16, entering a projection, 17, on the web, which projection has a ilat upper surface forming a bearing on which the dog or lever can swing or oscifllate in a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the plane of the web and the barrels. The rear end of the lever is provided with a lug, 18, preferably having an eye, in which is secured one end of a cord, 19, said cord passing thence through a guide-loop, 20, on the rear extremity of the web.

In practice, the barrels are charged, the cross-head and rod retracted against the tension of the spring, and the dog or lever swung so that its shouldered rear extremity comes against the lug or stud and roll on the crosshead, which has the effect of throwing the rear extremity of the dog or lever laterally to one side of the guide-loop at the forward end of the web. The cord is then taken to a considerable distance, stretched comparatively taut, and its end secured to some stationary object. The nipples are now provided with fulminates or caps, when the fire-arm is set and ready for operation. By the barrels being swiveled through the medium of the pendent journal and the sleeve-bearing it will be obvious that the barrels can rotate in a horizontal plane, and therefore if an animal comes in contact with the cord, the rear extremity of the dog ICO or lever will be drawn toward or in line With the Web and release the cross-head, which will discharge the fire-arm. If the barrels should not be in line with the animal When it comes in contact with the cord, it will be obvious that slight pressure on the cord Will rotate the barrels and bring them substantially into line With the intruder, thus killing or injuring the same when the barrels are discharged.

I do not confine myself to the employment of two barrels, as one could be omitted without changing the spirit of my invention. The Web not only serves to join the two barrels Vof the fire-arm, but also as a guiding-receptacle for the cylindrical rod and coiled spring, thus concealing and protecting them.

The fire-arm is more especially designed for luse in orchards or vineyards to protect them against the depredations of animals, but obviously it is adapted for general use in protecting property against burglars.

Having thus described my invention, What l claim isl. The combination of two barrels joined by an interposed tubular web and a support on which the barrels can rotate, with the rod eX- tending through the web and having a crosshead at its rear provided with anvils or hammers, a spring placed under tension when the rod and cross-head are retracted, and means for holding the cross-head against the tension of the spring, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a firearm, a support on which it can rotate in a horizontal plane, a sliding rod carrying an anvil or hammer at its rear end, a spring placed under tension When the rod is moved rearwardly, a pivoted dog or lever for holding the rod against the tension oi' the spring, and a cord connected with the forward end of the dog or lever, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a barrel, a tubular receptacle or Web at one side thereof, a slidi i ing rod extending through the receptacle and having an anvil or hammer at its rear end, a coiled spring encircling the rod and placed under tension by the rearwardly-sliding movement of the rod, and a lever pivoted EbetWeen its ends for holding the rod against the tension of the spring, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GEO. M. PRATT.

Vitn esses:

TrioMAs VILLIAMS, GEO. F. PRATT. 

